Alexander Sammon
Updated on: October 9, 2024 6:53 am GMT
Angel Vause, the girlfriend of convicted murderer Raymond Moody, has publicly admitted to lying to federal investigators regarding the tragic case of Brittanee Drexel, a teenage girl who went missing during her spring break in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, in 2009. On Monday, court documents revealed that Vause pleaded guilty to multiple counts of making false statements to the FBI, significantly impacting the long-standing investigation into Drexel’s abduction and subsequent murder.
Admission of Guilt
Angel Vause, 56, disclosed her involvement during a federal court appearance, where she acknowledged providing misleading information that hindered the FBI’s investigative efforts. The charges stem from her 2022 statements, where she claimed that Drexel had her cellphone at the time of her disappearance. In reality, Vause had taken Drexel’s phone with her, discarding it between Georgetown and Charleston, South Carolina, after the kidnapping.
Vause also misled agents by stating that Drexel had willingly joined her and Moody to use drugs, rather than being abducted forcibly. This admission has brought renewed attention to the case, which haunted Drexel’s family for years until her remains were discovered in May 2022, nearly 13 years after she was last seen.
The Disappearance of Brittanee Drexel
Brittanee Drexel, a 17-year-old from Rochester, New York, vanished on April 25, 2009. Surveillance footage showed her leaving a hotel in Myrtle Beach to meet friends, marking the last recorded sighting of her before she was kidnapped. Moody, who was later found to have held Drexel captive, approached her in a vehicle and drove her to a remote location, where he committed heinous acts of violence against her.
In October 2022, Moody pleaded guilty to the charges of kidnapping, raping, and murdering Drexel. Describing himself as a “monster,” he expressed remorse for his actions during his sentencing. He was sentenced to a lengthy prison term for his crimes, which shocked the community and Drexel’s family.
Reactions from the Victim’s Family
The confirmation of Vause’s guilty plea met with mixed emotions from Drexel’s family. Dawn Pleckman, Drexel’s mother, expressed a feeling of resolution, noting that justice is being served as both Vause and Moody face accountability for their roles in her daughter’s death. “She will pay dearly for what she did to Brittanee,” Pleckman stated.
Similarly, Drexel’s father, John Kahyaoglu, expressed his relief over Vause’s guilty plea, appreciating that she will receive consequences for her actions. “A lot of people have been working on this and been waiting for this day. I can’t wait until sentencing,” he remarked.
Legal Implications for Vause
As part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors, Vause now faces a maximum prison sentence of up to 15 years for her three counts of making false statements. The sentencing has yet to be scheduled, but the implications of her guilty plea have reignited discussions around accountability in criminal cases involving perpetrators and accomplices.
!Angel Vause, girlfriend of Brittanee Drexel’s murderer Raymond Moody, admitted to lying to the FBI.
The Broader Impact of the Case
The Drexel case, which drew national attention due to its tragic nature and the prolonged effort to resolve it, highlights significant issues surrounding victims’ rights, the criminal justice process, and the consequences of falsehoods during investigations. In the aftermath of Drexel’s disappearance, many have called for changes in how such cases are handled to ensure better outcomes for future victims.
Drexel’s story is not just one of loss; it serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of truthfulness in providing justice for victims and their families. With both Moody and Vause now facing serious legal repercussions, many hope that this case will spark reforms that support survivors and prevent future tragedies.
For further reading on legal ramifications of false statements in criminal cases, visit the National Center for Victims of Crime.
As the court case goes on, people are watching closely. They want to find some peace after this sad time and remember how important it is to stay aware and fight against violence and crime.
